Melissa Perrine in the women’s Super-G before she missed a gate and a chance of a medal.Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA’S arduous campaign in Sochi just got even tougher with Melissa Perrine relinquishing a one-second lead to allow Great Britain to claim its first ever Paralympic Winter gold medal on Monday.

Visually impaired Perrine was the last skier on the course and was more than one second under the gold medal time in the women’s Super-G when she missed gate 29 of 38 and was eliminated.

It paved the way for Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans to win a historic first ever gold for Great Britain and take the upper hand in ‘The Ashes’ on the snow.

Great Britain — which has 12 athletes compared to Australia’s 11 — has now won a silver and a gold in the first three days while the Aussies are yet to open their account.

Perrine was damningly honest in her self-assessment after the race.

Perrine flies down the mountain through a section of shadows cast by trees adjacent to the course.Source: Getty Images

“There’s no excuses, I made a mistake. I skied poorly, it’s completely on me and I’ve got to live with that and change it for tomorrow,” she said.

“I didn’t commit to the turn like I should have, and as a consequence I missed the next gate and there’s no one else to blame but myself on this one.

“It’s hesitation and you don’t have time to hesitate out there. I hesitated and that’s my mistake. I shouldn’t be doing that, I’ve trained not to do that, but that’s what happened.”

Perrine still has the slalom, giant slalom and super combined still to come this week.

“I know I can ski this hill well, so I’ve got to remember that. I’ve got to focus on that and try to take some confidence into the next three events,” she said.

Eventual winner Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans career down a steep part of the course.Source: Getty Images

Australian coach Steve Graham said the section where Perrine made her error was the toughest part of the course and perhaps they had not spoken about it enough in preparation.

“Obviously not enough in hindsight, it was pretty obvious down there and I think Michael (Milton) spoke to them about it in inspection,” Graham said.

“As soon as I saw the speed they had I was concerned and unfortunately they were trying to make amends for the other day and just didn’t put the brake on there.

“That’s been the toughest part of the course all week and unfortunately a matter of a metre and she was looking really good, but that’s the sport.”

The victorious pair are congratulated by friends and family in the crowd on the mountain.Source: Getty Images

Graham said Perrine’s guide Andy Bor and the coaches might have to take responsibility for any tactical errors made on the course.

“I have to look at the video, I was watching Me’s intent today and wasn’t paying much attention to Andy and I’ve got to see whether he accelerated down there and if he accelerated too much down there it’s not giving Mel much,” Graham said.

“Her goal today was to try and overtake Andy but make sure she doesn’t let him by telling him to get out of the way.

“So she did her job like she does nearly every day, I’ve been really happy with Mel all season and she can only do what’s in front of her and I think she did that today.”

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